Internet Society Foundation

At the Internet Society Foundation, we focus on funding initiatives that strengthen the Internet in function and reach so that it can effectively serve all people.

Driven by core values of diversity and inclusion, we catalyze partnerships with organizations large and small to amplify voices and stimulate action. We believe that by working together, we can use the Internet to shape a better future for us all and positively impact humanity worldwide.

Introduce and amplify the Foundation brand by communicating the role and scope of the Foundation’s purpose and focus

Inform stakeholders about the Foundation’s funding opportunities and solicit qualified grant applications

Through a transparent and independent review process, award funding to a global portfolio of charitable organizations and individuals working in the Foundation Programme Areas as well as to Internet Society (ISOC) Chapters and Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

Invest in people and organizations whose work utilizes the Internet to help populations. 

Develop programmes that address identified, critical needs. 

Partner with other organizations that seek positive change. 

Discover new and exciting opportunities that push the limits of ideas. 

Create a community among grantees. 

Evaluate our portfolio's impact and adapt to lessons learned.

The Foundation’s operations and organizational capacity includes the elements required for the Foundation to successfully solicit, review, award and manage grants as well as building the team and training. It also incorporates increasing visibility of the impact of the work we do.  The Foundation embodies the following values, which support and strengthen our organizational capabilities:

We are bold. We are unafraid to take on new challenges, seek unique solutions, and blaze our own trail. 

We act with integrity. We do what is right even when it is not easy, hold ourselves and others to a high standard, and choose honesty above all else. 

We are committed.  We prioritize our grantees' success and sustainability, our team members' well-being and growth, and making a true difference for people and the planet. 

We are inclusive. We seek out worldwide opportunities to advance ideas and we foster strength in diversity.

In 2020, our first full year in operation, we:

Grew from zero to a full force organization.  

Built a team of seven dedicated and passionate individuals. 

Recruited independent reviewers to ensure a transparent, objective review-and-score method of all pre-screened applications. 

Launched our first brand new programme in two weeks (Emergency Response: COVID 19) that was not in our original 2020 strategy.  This required a Board resolution and resulted in an avalanche of applications and awarding funds to four inspiring projects. 

Launched a worldwide communications strategy that includes four social media platforms as well as a website populated with impact stories and information about all funding areas. 

Created a comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning training curriculum for our applicants and grantees in English, Spanish and French. 

Managed to meet all of our milestones and deliverables on time and within budget in spite of a worldwide pandemic. 

Awarded grants to nine organizations in Bangladesh, Senegal, and Colombia under the Strengthening Communities, Improving Lives and Livelihoods programme.


2021 Objectives:

The Foundation will build on our success of 2020 and commit up to $7M in funding to high quality, independently reviewed and scored applications through existing and new programme funding areas by:

Simplifying the grant application process

Implementing quality controls, providing grantee networking activities and a streamlined and robust M&E; process

Encouraging applications from organizations that are working to unlock the Internet’s potential to tackle the world’s evolving challenges.

Increase awareness of the opportunities provided by the Foundation among potential grantees and other key audiences by implementing a comprehensive communications campaign that includes: storytelling; publishing research findings; and sharing case studies. 

Establish a community of grantees by providing opportunities for communication, collaboration and learning among organizations funded by the Foundation. 

Launch two new programme funding areas, assuming the appropriate resources are available: 

The second component of RARE (Resiliency and Responding to Emergencies)

BOLT ​(Building Opportunities and Leveraging Technologies).